Electrical Machine Collector Compartment Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrical machine cooling systems, particularly in the collector compartment, face inefficiencies in heat dissipation, leading to potential damage from excessive heat and requiring cumbersome auxiliary cooling modules for vertical installations, which increase cost and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a finned heat exchanger positioned within the collector compartment, coupled with an air conveyor system that allows for efficient heat transfer using a modular design, enabling effective heat dissipation without the need for auxiliary cooling modules, even in vertical installations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If pipe heat exchangers are used for cooling the collector compartment, then heat dissipation function is provided, but heat dissipation efficiency is insufficient and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pipe heat exchanger system with a heat sink that utilizes the rotor's rotational motion. The rotor blades act as cooling fins that directly dissipate heat from the collector compartment through convection and radiation, eliminating the need for separate pipe-based heat exchange mechanisms and auxiliary fans in vertical installations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotor serves multiple functions: it performs its primary function of driving the load while simultaneously acting as a heat dissipation device through its blade structure. The blades function both as mechanical drivers and as thermal exchange surfaces, integrating cooling functionality into the existing rotor without requiring separate dedicated cooling components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If auxiliary cooling modules are added for vertical installations, then cooling function is provided, but cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling reliabilityVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor itself provides the cooling function through its blade structure, utilizing its own rotational motion to generate the necessary air flow for heat dissipation. The system serves itself by using the rotor's inherent operational characteristics (rotation) to perform the additional function of cooling, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary cooling modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling function is merged with the rotor structure by designing the rotor blades to function as heat dissipation fins. The rotor and cooling system become a single integrated component rather than separate elements, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining cooling reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If fan is positioned at distance from rotating shaft opening, then correct air flow passage is achieved, but overall machine size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow passageVSAvoidmachine size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow generation function is merged with the rotor's rotational motion itself. The rotor blades, through their rotation, directly generate the necessary air flow for cooling without requiring a separate fan component, thereby eliminating the space constraints and size increases associated with positioning fans at specific distances from the shaft opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances heat dissipation efficiency within the collector compartment, reduces the overall size of the electrical machine, and simplifies installation and maintenance while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the surfaces of the pipes are thermal exchange surfaces, through which the heat generated inside the compartments of the electrical machine is transferred to the cooling air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a cooling system adapted to dissipate the heat generated by the stator and rotor inside the motor compartment and by the electrical connections inside the collector compartment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the cooling system comprises means adapted to force inside of it a cooling air flow constituted by air collected from the external environment, flowing from the pipe inlet openings of the two heat exchangers towards the pipe outlet openings of the first heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2367269B1Electrical machine
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP2367269B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2367269B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2367269B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An electrical machine (1) comprising: - a first compartment (2), or motor compartment (2), housing an electric motor (11) mounted on a rotating shaft (5); - a second compartment (6), or collector compartment (6), housing an electrical circuit (10, 12, 13) adapted to connect the electric motor (11) to a power supply source; - a cooling system (100) adapted to dissipate the heat generated by the electrical machine (1). The cooling system comprises at least a finned heat exchanger (200) adapted to dissipate the heat generated by the electrical circuit (10, 12, 13) inside the second compartment (6).